Introduction
Windows 10, released in 2015, has been a very popular version of the operating system. However, all good things come to an end.
The end of life (EOL) for Windows 10 is fast approaching, and businesses and consumers that haven’t upgraded to Windows 11 need to be prepared.
When is Windows 10 Reaching EOL (End of Life)?
Microsoft has officially announced that Windows 10 will reach its end of life on October 14, 2025. This means that after this date, Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, security updates, or feature updates for Windows 10.
While Windows 10 will still technically work, it will become increasingly vulnerable to security threats like malware, viruses and other issues such as reliability.
What will happen after the Windows 10 EOL date?
Well, technically nothing, as Windows 10 will continue to work after this date. However, continuing to use Windows 10 after its EOL date poses several risks.
Firstly, without regular security updates, your Windows 10 devices will become more susceptible to viruses, malware, and other cyber threats.
Also, many industries have regulations that require the use of up-to-date software. Failing to comply can lead to legal and financial consequences.
Cyberattacks can result in data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. Using an outdated operating system increases your risk of falling victim to these attacks. As we have mentioned before, 1 in 2 UK businesses were the victim of a cyber attack last year, so it’s recommended to do all you can to reduce this risk.
Your Options
You have three main options to prepare for Windows 10 EOL:
1. You could stick with Windows 10. Your PC will technically still work after this date, however without regular security patches it will become more and more at risk from viruses and malware over time.
2. Upgrade to Windows 11: If your hardware meets the minimum system requirements, you can upgrade to Windows 11. This will provide you with continued support and security updates. The minimum requirements for Windows 11 are:
- A CPU of at least 1 GHz with two cores
- At least 4 GB of RAM
- 64 GB of free hard drive space
- Support for Secure Boot
- Support for Trusted Platform Module 2.0
- Meet the UEFI standard
- A graphics card (GPU) that supports DX12
- Support for Windows Display Driver Model 2
- An active internet connection
- A display resolution of at least 720p
The main requirement to look out for is the fact that your CPU needs to have the TPM (Trusted Platform Module 2.0) chip. If your machine is over 5 years old, it may not have this, and therefore, will be too old to run Windows 11.
If you want to find out if your PC can run Windows 11, you can use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app here.
3. Replace Your Hardware: If your current hardware is too old to run Windows 11, you’ll need to replace it with a newer device. You can either purchase a new device with Windows 11 pre-installed or buy a Windows 11 license and install it on your existing hardware. This allows you to benefit from the latest features and security updates.
Our Recommendations
If you are a business, we recommend taking the following steps:
1. Inventory Your Devices: Conduct an inventory of your Windows 10 machines to determine which versions they are running. There are software tools available to help with this process, especially important if you have a large number of devices.
2. Update to Windows 10 22H2: Ensure that all your Windows 10 machines are updated to the latest version, which is 22H2. This is also due to be the final version of Windows 10. This will provide you with the latest security patches and bug fixes.#
3. Create a Transition Plan: Develop a plan for which machines you plan to upgrade to Windows 11 and which you will replace. This plan should help you prepare for how long this process will take and any costs involved.
Windows 10 EOL – Are You Prepared?
If you have any questions or are concerned about the upcoming Windows 10 EOL date, please reach out. We are happy to answer any questions.
If you need further help, Coretek can help you assess your business’s readiness for Windows 10 EOL and develop a customised transition plan. Our team can assist with device inventory, compatibility evaluation, and the upgrade process.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Start today to ensure your business is prepared for the end of Windows 10.